NISSAN Intelligent Mobility has been honoured with two special awards at the Auto Express New Car Awards 2018 for the Nissan Qashqai and the new 2018 Nissan LEAF.

The Nissan Qashqai was named Auto Express Car of the Past 30 Years for its revolutionary design and creating the increasingly popular crossover segment. The new 2018 Nissan LEAF was recognised for its innovative features and presented with a special Technology Award.

Steve Fowler, Editor of Auto Express, said; “The Nissan Qashqai was, and still is, a car that offered all the practicality of a conventional compact SUV, but with a footprint the same as a family car. This Nissan not so much tore up the rulebook, but sent it into oblivion. A successor to the Almera hatchback, the Qashqai ripped the SUV market wide open, creating a new segment of the market – and we’ve not looked back since.”

The Nissan Qashqai, updated in 2017, is currently the UK’s 3rd best-selling car in 2018. More than 3 million Qashqai models have been produced in the U.K. New Intelligent Driving updates include ProPILOT, Nissan’s advanced driver-assist technology and the company’s first step on the journey towards autonomous driving. ProPILOT liberates drivers from some of the more mundane elements of motoring, reducing fatigue and stress and improving safety, enhancing overall control and confidence.

Matt Weaver, Design Director, Nissan Design Europe, added; “The Qashqai is a pioneering design that created the crossover segment and has since transformed expectations of what a European family car should be. Combining the space and packaging efficiency of the traditional hatchback with the high driving position and premium looks of an SUV, Qashqai introduced fresh new thinking to the sector and captured the imagination of car buyers. Designed, engineered and built in the UK, Qashqai’s design has been so influential that the crossover is now the most popular body type in Europe.”

The world’s best-selling electric vehicle and the icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the new 2018 Nissan LEAF officially went on sale in the UK on 2nd February 2018 with more than 2,600 sales to UK customers to date.

Stand-out technologies like ePedal, ProPILOT and ProPILOT Park have helped convert greater numbers of drivers to making the switch to all-electric than ever before.

Fowler added; “There are many things that have impressed us about the new Nissan LEAF. It’s good to drive with a realistic range of over 150 miles, and it comes packed with technology not available on many cars at the price, let alone EVs. But most impressive of all is the thought that’s gone into electric vehicle ownership and making that more appealing and cheaper for more people.”

Alex Smith, Managing Director of Nissan Motor GB commented, “We’re absolutely delighted that once again the new LEAF has been officially recognised for making all-electric vehicle ownership more accessible, more innovative and more enjoyable. Our customers really love these cars and from their feedback we know that the convenient and connected technologies are a big part of this positive ownership experience. A sincere thanks to the Auto Express judges for recognising that with this special award.”

The new Nissan LEAF, made in the UK at Nissan’s manufacturing plant in Sunderland, represents a whole new driving experience, designed to move people with greater exhilaration, confidence and connection to the world around them thanks to intelligent features such as ProPILOT, e-Pedal and bi-directional charging.